The Covid-19 pandemic is a frightening experience for many people and covid depression anxiety has been on the rise. In fact, the term covid stress syndrome has been coined for people who are suffering from unusually high levels of stress. However, The Economist notes that anxiety and depression levels have been on the rise for everyone during this time. So what can we do to help ourselves? How can we cope with Covid-19 related stress?
News Channels Heighten Anxiety and Depression
One of my first recommendations would be to take a news fast. Why? The news cycle concentrates on what is going wrong in the world and what we need to worry about. Watching too much news, coupled with the anecdotes from neighbors, family, and friends leads to high levels of anxiety and depression.
Start your news fast by committing to only checking the news once per day. Make sure that when you do check the news for the day that you are checking trusted sources rather than conspiracy sources. When our brains cannot know everything that is going on, they often fill in the blanks with imaginary worst-case scenarios. We can combat this by taking the focus off of the news and limiting our news intake. Focusing on the facts and then letting it go for the rest of the day.
Anxiety with Covid and Anxiety After Covid
Feeling anxiety when contracting covid or after having gone through covid, is a normal reaction and experience. Anxiety isn’t only about worrying whether or not you might contract covid, but if you do contract covid, worrying about whether it will take a turn for the worse or whether you will experience long haul covid symptoms are concerning. Many people are experiencing anxiety with covid and anxiety after covid. Understanding that this is a typical response and a normal response can help.
The best way to combat these anxiety symptoms is by focusing on healthy coping mechanisms. We can help treat your anxiety symptoms safely with online therapy in Pasadena, CA. What are some healthy coping mechanisms you can implement today to help with your covid-19 related anxiety?
Healthy Coping Mechanisms
During the pandemic, it has been difficult to see family and friends as well as work out. Being quarantined hasn’t made it easy for people to live. With the pandemic lifting slightly, there are more opportunities to engage in healthy coping mechanisms but for those with anxiety, it may be safer to seek these opportunities at home.
One of the best coping mechanisms is to work out daily and get endorphins going while keeping your body healthy. If you want to stay indoors and avoid covid risk, try checking out pilates, yoga, and HIIT workouts on YouTube. So many free videos give short 10-15 minute workouts that can really pump up your endorphins for your day. Another great coping mechanism is to contact friends and family via FaceTime or Zoom rather than through texting or a phone call. Seeing facial expressions and physical mannerisms can enhance connection. You can even try playing a game virtually. If you do want to work out outdoors, choose spaces with fewer people for your safety. If you want to meet up with friends and family, follow the most relevant CDC guidelines to keep yourself safe.
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